Dope (Lauren/You)

Chapter 3

(Your POV)

I had to make sure she was okay.

The second I stood outside, an overwhelming breeze flew past me. Startled from the dramatic temperature change, goosebumps plagued my arms and I took in a sharp breath.

I hugged myself as an attempt to keep warm, although it didn't make much of a difference. My eyes frantically scanned the environment around me, hoping for any signs of Lauren. Nothing. It was hard to make out shapes in the distance since it was pitch black, but I continued to walk around searching.

After 5 minutes of wandering within close parameter of the house, I decided she was long gone. Each minute that passed caused that dreadful pit in my stomach to grow bigger; she could be anywhere right now.

I should have followed her the second she left. No, scratch that, I shouldn't have left her alone in the first place. Maybe then I wouldn't feel like such a crappy person for putting her in danger.

What's worse is that I have no idea where she could have gone off to. I was praying she had gone home safely, but there was no way I could tell. All I knew about her were three things; she's called Lauren Jauregui, she has green eyes, and she invited me to this party. A party where I knew no one — let alone where Lauren lived.

My mind was conflicted about what to do and I was feeling defeated. Maybe I should just go home and wish for the best? Perhaps not the smartest idea, but my options were running thin. I didn't have her phone number, I didn't know what car she drove so I could check if she left or not, I didn't know a thing.

Wait, unless there was...

I knew her friends had came along, but it had all been such a blur I couldn't recall their names or what they looked like.

Think harder, I pleaded to myself.

A blonde haired girl stuck out in my memory because of how tall she was, her name beginning with a D if I remembered correctly. She was the first friend Lauren pointed out to me, but I got distracted when I saw someone who brought a puppy along.

Okay, good, I have a friend of hers who can check if she's okay. My plan was to go back inside the house, tell her friend what had happened, then she would hopefully call her to check she's unharmed.

With my plan firmly set, I neared the house's entrance for the third time tonight. The blaring music creeped higher the closer I got, and I rushed in not wanting to waste a millisecond. It felt like I was playing Where's Wally with all this searching.

I peeked into the living room I was previously in, not seeing who I wanted to. The next stop was the kitchen, which was slightly less packed, and I noticed the girl I was looking for stood with a few others. Must be her friends, I guessed.

I ran up to her in a hurry with crimson cheeks, not caring if I interrupted their chat. "Hey! You're Lauren's friend, right?" I breathlessly managed.

"Ayyy," she began with a drunk tone, "the name is Dinah, but yeah."

"Did Lauren call you about going home?" I asked impatiently.

"I hope not," she laughed, "we're all getting a lift home from Ally, the same way we arrived."

"Yup, y'all are in no condition to drive," her shorter friend chimed in. "Not with all those sins poisoning your body."

Dinah scoffed, "Okay, Mom. We get it, you're a saint."

"I'm no saint, just trying to keep my friends safe," the girl who I now knew as Ally replied.

"You take such good care of us," Dinah hummed happily. As if she read my mind, she asked a question which was bursting to come out. "Speaking of, where are the others?"